Botox and Breast Feeding Safe?

Although most physicians avoid injecting Botox in pregnant women or those who are breast feeding, the safety of this hasn't been studied. Understandably, the companies do not want to be responsible for liabilities. On the other hand, I am not aware of reading or hearing about cases of Botox or Dysport having been injected in pregnant women or lactating women who then had medical issues develop in their babies, despite such administration of Botoluinum toxin probably having been given inadvertently to  such women a number of times in the last two decades of cosmetic Botox use.  I remember reading years ago of a pregnant woman who died of botulism from eating bad food and her baby was delivered safely and without any signs of botulism. This may make you feel less anxious, but it is not mentioned to encourage such risk by having Botox injected during pregnancy or breast feeding.  You should see your pediatrician and observe your child for any unusual signs.

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency proceed to your nearest emergency room.

 

Your question is best answered in two parts.  First, while the internet is undoubtedly a source of legitimate research findings from prospective double blind clinical studies, conducted over a sufficient period of time, and with sufficient sample sizes, protocol consistency, and proper biostatistical analysis to yield clinically useful findings, it is, let's face it, more often a morass of urban myth,exaggerated or untruthful personal anecdotes, and social media hysteria run amuck.  
In view of this fact, I want to be very clear in stating that there are currently NO proper clinical studies that demonstrate that continuing to breastfeed your baby after receiving Botox injections will pose any harm to your child.  It is unlikely that you received a large dose of Botox in your treatment by your dermatologist. It is unlikely that even a minuscule dose of Botox will travel from the sites of injection into the milk glands of your breast.  It is unlikely that even if this were to occur, it would have any effect at all on your baby.  
However, in life, in general, anyone who gives you a 100% guarantee of anything happening, or not happening, should be viewed with suspicion.  If there is one aspect of life that is certain, it is that there is a certain degree of uncertainty in any general pronouncement, no matter the vigor and definitiveness with which it is pronounced.  
Therefore, I would put the ball back in your court, and tell you that if your fear of the minuscule possibility of any harm coming to your child from the Botox treatment you received is enough to keep you up at night, then you should probably just stop breastfeeding your baby. Problem solved.
Another relevant fact is that the physiological effect of Botox generally dissipates by three to six months after the time of injection.  In our clinic, our practice is to ask all women of child bearing age if they are breastfeeding, or if there is a chance they may be pregnant.  If they answer yes to either question, we decline to inject them with Botox until they deliver their baby, or until they stop breastfeeding.  Again, we do this out of an abundance of caution, and humility, knowing that in this area, as in so many areas in medicine, we just don't know what we don't know, so we choose to err on the side of caution.

This product has been safely used for medical purposes for over 30 years including children at high does. The doses used for cosmetic purposes are very low and with millions of patient treatments each year it has a proven safety track record with no long term side effects to cosmetic doses of this product. However, It is not known if this treatment can be harmful to your unborn baby or if it passes into breast milk.  Therefore all anti-wrinkle treatments are contraindicated if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  

Yes, many sources do state that Botox contraindicated for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.


A pdf document provided by Allergan (the manufacturers of Botox)  discusses the issue of nursing and the use of Botox. According to section 8.3 “It is not known whether BOTOX is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when BOTOX is administered to a nursing woman.”


I would advise discontinuing breastfeeding as well as getting more specific input from another physician who is board certified in dermatology or plastic surgery. 
 

There are no scientific studies that conclude that Botox in breast feeding is safe or not safe. Always best to er on the side of caution